History.

Councillor Mark Perks project co-ordinator for the residents’ group Astley Village Action submitted a bid to the Football Foundation in 2004, for setting up a football development programme to run in the village. The aim was to provide opportunities for young people in the village and surrounding area to take up football and to establish a local football club and teams.

Astley Village on the outskirts of Chorley, lacked sport facilities and offered few opportunities for young people to take up sport of any kind. This problem was further highlighted in the Autumn of 2004 when the popular youth club closed. This was a big disappointment to many young people in the village who attended the Monday evening club and had come to rely on the club for activities and opportunities.

The Football Foundation awarded AVA £ 5,500 in May 2004 and plans were put in place to start up a junior and senior Astley Village Juniors Football Club, based on the ages of the sessions held at the Youth Club. With the closure of the Youth Club and the loss of the Lancashire Youth and Community Services input, AVA decided it would more beneficial to begin by aiming the programme at 6 to 11 year olds.

During the first year 73 coaching and training sessions were provided in the form of Saturday morning coaching/ mini games sessions, school holiday football activities and football outreach delivered at three local primary schools. Over 1000 young people attended one or more of the activities organised.

The Football Foundation award has made real positive changes happen in the community, proving football can play a fundamental role in building a sustainable society and forming strong links with communities. The programme has also added to the wider dimension, in the aim of starting to meet local needs in areas such as health, regeneration and social cohesion.  

Astley Village Juniors had two excellent coaches Andy Ramskill and Chris Coyne who between them  provided enthusiasm and gave the club  a clear  vision for the future. Partnerships have been developed with Astley Village Parish Council, South Lancashire Arts Partnership and the Lancashire Youth Association and links made with Buckshaw Primary School, St Laurence  C of E Primary School, Balshaw Lane Primary School , Duke Street Primary and the FA itself.      

The club is affiliated to the Lancashire F.A. and in September 2005 it took its first big step into the world of junior league football by joining the Mid Lancs Colt JFL and entered Astley Village Juniors Under 10’s team.  

In May 2006 the club was successful in obtaining an Awards For All lottery bid which helped it expand and convert a meadow field at Chorley RUFC's ground into what is now the Under 12's home pitch. The rugby club and the junior football team signed a joint service level agreement that allows Astley Village Juniors FC to be based at the Brookfield ground. The lottery award also enabled the club to run the Saturday coaching sessions and train volunteers to become FA football coaches.

The club joined the Central Lancs League in July 2006. The club is young and has lots to learn but the enthusiasm and commitment from both its young members, parents, coaches and officers make it exciting and fun times.

Club officials attended the Chorley Sports Awards back in May 2006 were it achieved two noteable successes. Chris Coyne was named Chorley Coach of the Year 2006 and Astley Village Juniors FC where nominated for Community Club of the Year Award.

In November 2006 Astley Village Juniors FC became only the third football club in Chorley to be awarded the FA's Charter Standard for Clubs this was a remarkable achievement for such a young club.   

The club was nominated again in 2007 for Chorley's Community Club of the year.

The coaching programmes is in the form of coaching blocks, delivering different aspect of football skills with certificates awarded when each young person completes his or her individual block. The club operates a membership scheme based upon number of attendances. Sessions end with mini fun games adapted for age groups.

In March of 2008 the club moved its Saturday morning training to Buckshaw Village astro turf in order to develop football in this new community and to meet the demands of this popular football training sessions run by Head coach Chris Coyne.

Team Manager of the Under 13's team :- Matt Loughlin

Team Mananger of the Under 11's Graham Galloway

Team Manager of the Under 10's Chris Coyne.

Astley Village Juniors currently have 9 qualified coaches :- Chris , Matt, Adam, Andy, Paul, Graham, Scott, James and Mark.

Astley Village Juniors FC has received sponsorship from Living Ambitions, People for Places, BAe Systems and Michael Ward Ltd to which everyone at the club appreciates.